Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) conducted a first aid seminar in Barangay Sta. Rita in Batangas City, as part of its Neighbourhood Emergency Services Team (NEST) Programme. The event was in partnership with the Batangas Chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross and in line with MFI’s advocacy to educate stakeholders on safety and security.

The three-day seminar began at the Red Cross office in Hilltop, Batangas City, where 19 volunteers from the community were trained in first aid, basic life support, and emergency preparedness. The seminar culminated with a simulation exercise where the participants had to demonstrate a rescue operation of victims in a staged motor vehicle accident.

The 30-minute simulation was carried out in the street in front of the barangay hall of Brgy. Sta. Rita Karsada. Several trainees carried out the rescue while others were in charge of crowd and traffic control. After the activity, a graduation ceremony was held at the barangay hall where the volunteers were handed their certificates.

MFI Executive Director Luke Esteban attended the event with the whole MFI Team-Batangas. The Batangas chapter of the Philippine National Red Cross headed by Paul de Castro, and volunteers from NEST- Ambulong and Buklod Unlad ng Batangas, Inc., were also present at the gathering.

Barangay Chairman Marcing Ilagan extended his gratitude to MFI for bringing the NEST Programme to their Barangay. Grace Cantos, one of the volunteers of NEST-Ambulong, shared her experiences and how the programme has helped them and their community. MFI also presented the barangay with some much needed first aid equipment at the event.

NEST strikes again: Helping flood victims in Batangas
Last June 8 and 9, 2011, heavy rains brought about by Typhoon “Dodong” caused heavy flooding in Batangas. This prompted the evacuation of families from their homes near the waterlines particularly in the areas of Libjo, Sta. Rita Karsada and Cuta.

Fresh from their NEST training, the volunteers from Sta. Rita Karsada were mobilised to assist in the evacuation in their barangay. Simultaneously, the NEST groups from Ambulong and San Isidro were posted in their respective areas to monitor and assist their neighbors. In times of a crisis such as this, the NEST volunteers are the chosen front liners to help those in need.

During the celebration of Shell Safety Day, members of the Ambulong team set up a booth and joined the safety exhibit to showcase their equipment and first-aid materials for emergency situations and were commended by the city government of Batangas. City Administrator Philip Baroja said there might be more NEST groups set-up in other communities within the city.

Since its launch in 2007, NEST has been one of the regular programmes of the Malampaya Foundation, Inc. (MFI) in Batangas City. It had partnered with the Emergency Research Center, Inc. and this year, NEST joined forces with the Batangas Chapter of the Philippine Red Cross.

With the support of local government officials, NEST aims to organise communities to help them identify, train and plan for emergency prevention, mitigation and response. Volunteers from these communities are trained in first aid, basic life support and emergency preparedness, eventually building their capabilities to provide assistance in times of crisis, and to contribute to the safety and security of the community they live in. [SPEX Communications]